ARSONISTS caused a flash in the pan when they set fire to a portable toilet on a building site.

The temporary lavatory, used by builders in Tomswood Hill, Barkingside, was set on fire at around 10.30pm last Wednesday.

A witness saw three white men hanging around the loo just before the fire was spotted.

They got away in a Ford Fiesta and were all wearing hoods and dark clothing.

A pile of magazines was found in flames inside the loo and the blaze destroyed the toilet seat as well as causing smoke damage.

Witnesses are being urged to call Ilford police's criminal justice unit on 8345 2779.